Green Monster Epic

Chapter 21: A Difficult Problem

Alan consciously tried to get closer to Regis and the others. Regis, having taken their money, felt somewhat indebted and was no longer averse to interacting with him, especially since the other party was a warrior as powerful as himself.

“Brother, you mentioned that you encountered a powerful group of kobolds ahead and were forced to retreat. What are you planning to do next?” Alan asked curiously after some conversation.

“This isn’t something we should be considering. Supervisor Phil probably already has a plan.” Regis strictly adhered to the mercenary code and didn't reveal any useful information.

“Can you tell me how powerful these kobolds are? More so than yesterday's gnolls?” Alan didn't mind Regis's perfunctory response. Actually, he was more interested in gathering information about the kobolds.

For the Green Field Tribe, which had occupied the Bonefire Gnoll territory, their biggest future opponent would likely be the neighboring kobolds, and Alan had to prepare for this eventuality.

As for the other tribes neighboring the Green Field Tribe, most were of comparable strength, which was why everyone had been living in peace for years.

“Gnolls? If you combined the previous gnoll leader's group with last night's priest, they might barely be able to handle the kobold group.

The kobold warriors we encountered alone numbered over sixty, including a kobold warlock and an advanced warrior. I'm not trying to discourage you, Chieftain, or look down on you, but if these kobolds really want to harm you, I'm afraid your strength won't be enough to resist.

At that time, Chieftain, you should probably just run.” As long as it didn't involve the caravan's affairs, Regis didn't mind repaying Alan's kindness from last night by informing him of the kobolds' situation.

“Oh.” Alan's joy at having just occupied the Bonefire territory gradually dissipated, and he became somewhat heavy-hearted, but he quickly returned to normal.

Wilderness people were already accustomed to danger and wouldn't let it ruin their appetite.

“Hi, Supervisor Phil, good morning.” Phil had finished counting last night's gains and was about to find Regis to discuss the issue of continuing the journey when he was unfortunately spotted by Alan, who greeted him enthusiastically.

“Good morning, Chieftain Alan.” Phil replied amiably.

“What's the matter? Are you looking for our Captain Regis for something?”

“It's nothing, just chatting with them.” Alan laughed and brushed it off.

Seeing that Phil had something to discuss with Regis, Alan brazenly lingered, leaving Phil somewhat helpless. Finally, after some polite small talk, he brought the topic back to business.

“Captain Regis, we need to hurry to the Elven Kingdom. We've wasted too much time on the road. Including the time for selling goods and returning, it will probably take at least four and a half months.

Adding the possible accidents along the way, our plan to return to the duchy within five months is a bit tight.”

“Yes.” Regis nodded.

“But the kobold group blocking the road ahead is very different from the maps you collected and made. It's too dangerous to force our way through with our strength.

I wonder if you have any other routes, Supervisor, to avoid the kobolds' territory ahead?”

“When making the wilderness map, I didn't expect that in just over a decade, the kobold population of just over 70 people would swell to its current size, otherwise I wouldn't have taken the current route.

” The wilderness changes every moment. Places like the Green Field Tribe, located in a remote corner of the northwest wilderness, are rarely visited by merchants, let alone people making territorial maps.

The Silver Flash Merchant Guild was forced to take a risk because they happened to have a wilderness map collected by the previous president more than a decade ago, and that's why they formulated this adventurous journey.

Who would have thought that the journey would be smooth sailing at first, but just as they were about to reach their destination, accidents happened one after another, each more troublesome than the last.

“So I was thinking, should we bypass the kobolds' territory and pass through the area between the gnolls' and ogres' territories? But doing so would require a very large detour and take more time.”

“Has Supervisor considered that since the kobolds have grown to this point, if the gnoll and ogre camps marked on the map still exist and can stand against the kobold forces, what kind of strength will they possess?”

“Moreover, looking at the markings on this map, after passing the kobolds' territory, there is a desert area without freshwater resources. This means that as long as we can find a way to get past the kobolds, the chances of encountering danger later may be smaller.”

Regis reminded Phil of a possibility from a practical standpoint.

“This…” Phil frowned in distress. Regis's analysis was not without merit. The gnoll tribe they had just annihilated was a clear example.

If the Bonefire Tribe hadn't been arrogant and divided their main force into two groups, allowing Alan and Regis to eliminate them separately, the existence of the gnoll tribe alone might have caused great trouble for the caravan.

“So, Captain, do you mean we should find a way to pass through the kobolds' territory?”

“This is just my personal suggestion for reference only. As for how you decide in the end, our Eagle Mercenary Group will do our best to escort you to your destination.”

Regis's suggestion disrupted Phil's thoughts. He originally preferred to take a detour, but after being reminded by the other party, he was somewhat embarrassed.

“Unfortunately, our current strength is insufficient, and the kobolds' noses are too sensitive. It's almost impossible to sneak through their territory silently.”

Phil looked up at Regis, trying to get more advice, but he happened to see the other party's eyes glancing at Alan, who was staring intently at the sheepskin map.

Phil suddenly seemed to receive a hint: That's right, the strength of their caravan is not enough, but if they had the help of the bear goblins, who are currently in a friendly period, it wouldn't be too difficult to carefully plan a way to pass through the kobolds' territory.

However, Phil had to carefully plan how to persuade this somewhat shrewd bear goblin, because most of the methods used in human society were ineffective against the natives of the wilderness.

The only things that might move him are food and weapons, but the caravan's current reserves are not enough to provide them, which made things somewhat tricky.

“Hey, Chieftain seems very interested in our map. How about I have someone make a copy for you?” However, while watching Alan, Phil wasn't without gains.

Seeing that the other party still hadn't taken his eyes off the map, he couldn't help but interrupt the other party's attention with some means of winning people's hearts.

“This is really a good thing. Supervisor Phil is so generous, then I won't be polite.” Alan wasn't polite either. Having lived in the wilderness since childhood, he only now realized how wonderful their wilderness was, with so many tribes existing.

“No problem, no problem, I'll have someone prepare the parchment for printing right away.” Phil was afraid that Alan wouldn't be interested, so he quickly agreed and ordered someone to prepare it.